September 18, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 3

Life After I
This week it's all about the maxi.  I love maxi dresses and skirts and I think they are the perfect fall "look".  They're a great transition piece because when it's chilly in the mornings and evenings you can throw a jacket or cardigan over it but then wear it without when it still gets up into the high 70s/low 80s during the day time.  
I love the simplicity of a maxi too.  I mean there's really nothing easier than throwing one on and walking out the door.  I find they require minimal accessories and just flip flops work most of the time {unless it's a fancier dress/occasion}.  And, let's not forget, they are pretty much the next best thing to pajamas when it comes to comfort.
The best part of this week, for me, was finding outfits I'm really excited to wear this fall.  I've had most of these pieces in my wardrobe for a long time {some even from high school} but never thought about mixing and matching a lot of them.  Now I've come up with 4 new outfits that I can't wait to wear.  Now, if I could only come up with a reason to get dressed 4 days this week...does Story Time count?  Maybe not but we have a couple of birthday parties coming up.

Outfit 1
Top: H&M 
Belt: Target 
Skirt: Target   
I think this is my favorite of all the looks.  You've seen this top in week 2 with the red skinnies and I can assure you it will probably make an appearance once a week.  I just love denim and I love how versatile this shirt is. I know when I first got it I wasn't sure I'd wear it much {because I didn't know how to wear it} but I've definitely gotten my $20 out of it.  I've got a lot of outfits pinned to Pinterest with chambray tops as the star so expect a lot more chambray top outfits in future weeks on CYC.  The skinny belt is the same way.  It came with another dress {also from Target} and I mix it with almost everything. I love it.  I need to find a black one just like it.  I had flip-flops on {not pictured}but I can totally see wearing this outfit with boots once it gets a tad bit cooler outside.  Yes, I love this look.
Outfit 2
Jacket: Old Navy
Dress:  Kohl's
Jean jackets are pretty much a staple in my fall, heck all seasons, wardrobe.  They are like my version of a cardigan. I love love love them and I currently own three, one dating all the way back to high school {one being maternity, see how much I love them? I even needed a maternity version for the 2.5 seconds I wore it when I was pregnant}.  Wearing them with a dress is pretty much my favorite.  This dress is a strapless little number that I got last summer and I know they say horizontal stripes aren't flattering {especially when you have curves, like me} but I think this dress is one of the most flattering I own.  They had it in navy too and now I'm kicking myself for not getting it too.  I'd even like this outfit with a pop of color in the accessories.  Must get fun, bright, colorful accessories, one day.  In the meantime, you get the idea.

Outfit 3
Dress: Target
Cardigan: Francesca's Collection
Necklace: NY & Co.
I love this navy and coral combo.  But, do people still wear cardigans like this?  I mean I feel a little silly/1990s {anyone remember shrugs?} with it tied up like this but at the same time it looked sloppy untied.  I actually wore this to my best friends baby shower back in early spring and I got loads of compliments on it.  Only then I wore sky-high wedges and nearly broke my leg because this maxi dress is too long for my 5'3" frame.  Does anyone else have that problem when it comes to maxi dresses/skirts?  Maybe I am just too damn short. Does this necklace look familiar?  It should, I wore it in week 1 with another navy dress.  See how this whole challenge is coming full circle already?  This is exactly the kind of revelation I hoped to have when I started this challenge.  
Outfit 4
Dress:  Old Navy
Cardigan:  NY & Co.
Earrings:  American Eagle
OK, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret, this dress is maternity.  I know, the horror.  I actually wore this dress to MY baby shower, it looks much different now.  I cringe every time I wear it but then I think it's a really pretty dress and I love the pattern and so I'm ok with it.  It doesn't look maternity anyway.  It is the one piece of maternity clothing I still own {this and the maternity jean jacket}.   I gave everything else away, dumb move considering we're trying for Baby Dew #2 now. This dress is actually the perfect length for me too, imagine that.  I know one thing is for sure, maternity or not, I love this dress and I'm going to wear it for a long time.  At least until the print is out of style.  Or maybe it already is.



Sorry you can't see my shoes in any of these pics but the good news is, I'm just wearing cheap, rubber, silver, Old Navy flip flops with all of these looks.  But that's kinda the great thing about maxi dresses, you don't really see your feet so flip flops are totally acceptable.  Am I right?  
Like I said, this week has been my favorite, so far.  I really love each of these outfits and cannot wait to find a place {besides playgroups} to wear them. Bonus, they are all super comfortable!  
I'm starting to get a little bit more comfortable taking these pictures even if I don't look like it {hand on the hip= skinny arms}.  How are you doing with the challenge? Do you like it?  Have you caved and bought something new?  
Next week I'll be doing a couple of my favorite {p}inspired looks.  Stay tuned.

19 comments:

  1. LOVE this!! I always want to wear maxis but I feel like it makes my already 5'3 frame looks like 4'9. Also, let's please note how awesome you are for challenging your closet this week! You look beautiful in all of these, my favorite is probably the navy and coral :)

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  2. I love all of these looks!!! You look soooo good!!!!

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  3. Thanks so much for linking up!

    I'm also a huge maxi dress fan for fall, and I love how you've paired it with the chambray here. This reminds me that I need to dust off my old jean jacket and trot those out for fall as well; I really love how you've paired yours with that striped Kohl's dress.

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  4. I've never thought of doing this!!!! And especially with so many different dresses. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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  5. Love them all!
    Hope you can check out my giveaway currently going on my blog. www.nellecreations.com **Win a Gift Card**

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  6. Ohhhh!! Jean jacket over the maxi. Genius!! You look great, Shannon!!

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  7. love, love love maxi dresses. I should get a few more.

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  8. i am OBSESSED with that denim belted top and the maxi skirt. like OBSESSED. love it so much!!!!

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  9. Seeing all these posts are making me want to go shopping. Let's see... I need a denim shirt, a jean jacket and maybe another maxi dress...

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  10. Adorable maxis! Love you paired them for fall!

    Katherine

    http://mintedglam.blogspot.com/

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  11. Oooh #2's my favorite this week! Horizontal stripes totally work on curvy girls as long as the clothing *fits* and the cut is flattering, and that dress looks great on you! Love it with the jean jacket.

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  12. I really like outfit #3 and I would totally wear that if I had it!

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  13. I really need to work hard next year to find a maxi dress that works for me! Love all of these!

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  14. I'm loving the maxi dress on you!!! And they're so Fall-y! I just cannot pull off a maxi dress or skirt...maybe I need to work on that because they are so freakin' comfy!

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  15. challenging my closet with you this week!
    http://sarahandkris.blogspot.com/2012/09/challenge-your-closet.html

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  16. I loooove the second one! But duh, they're all cute. Maxis are fabulous.

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  17. I love all of these looks. I actually have a cute navy maxi dress I have considered putting jean jacked over. I mean it's just sitting in my closet I may as well give it a try. Maybe one day I will get brave enought.

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  18. Okay I LOVE the last two. And while I don't know if people still tie their cardigans like that (so not fashionable is this girl), it looks perfect with that outfit. I love the idea of a maxi in the fall, but what shoes does one wear when it really is cold?!?!

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